WALDEN- The law firm of J&G Law, LLP (J&G) is pleased to announce that four attorneys have been selected by Super Lawyers. Michele P. Ellerin, Partner concentrating in matrimonial and family law and Kara J. Cavallo, Partner concentrating in tax certiorari, litigation and appeals have been selected as 2023 Upstate New York Super Lawyers. Kelly A. Pressler, Partner concentrating in general, commercial, estate, and municipal litigation, Michael Wagner, Partner concentrating in elder law and estate planning, and Rebecca C. Johnson, Associate concentrating in matrimonial and family law were selected as 2023 Upstate New York Rising Stars. Pressler has consistently received this recognition each year since 2016.
Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. Super Lawyers selects the Rising Stars list using the same selection process, with one exception: to be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. While up to five percent of the lawyers in the state are named Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list.
“On behalf of the partners, we are so proud that Michele, Kara, Kelly, Michael, and Rebecca have been recognized for their remarkable achievements of being selected as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars” said Michele Babcock, Managing Partner. “The firm is fortunate to have these four talented attorneys as part of our team, ensuring clients that they can have full confidence in working with such highly regarded and accomplished legal professionals.”
Michele P. Ellerin earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1979 from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. She earned her Juris Doctorate in 1982 from the University of Toledo College of Law in Toledo, Ohio and spent her final year at Albany Law School. She established her private practice in 1986 and has devoted over thirty years to serving clients in the matrimonial and family law areas. She has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President for the Orange County Bar Association and for the past nineteen years, Michele has served on the organization’s Board of Directors. Michele is a member of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”), a member of the Women’s Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan Counties (“WBAOSC”) where she previously served as past President and is also a member of the Family Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. She is a member of the New York Trial Lawyers Association, and the Orange County Bar Association. Michele was on the Sara Wells Girl Scout Board and was a past Vice President. Michele was also a Board of Director and Trustee for Temple Sinai. She received a Woman of Achievement Award.
Kara J. Cavallo earned her Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, in 1994 from Arizona State University. Kara received her Juris Doctor degree in 1999 from the University of Arizona, College of Law. Kara currently serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Rights Society, Inc. Kara previously served on the Board of Directors of WBAOSC, including as its President, and is a member of both WBAOSC and WBASNY. She is also a member of the New York State Bar Association, Real Property Law Section and the Committee on Condemnation, Certiorari and Real Estate Taxation. Kara is a subscribing member of the Orange County Assessors Association, and an associate member of the New York State Assessors Association and the International Association of Assessing Officers. Kara has been selected as a Woman Leader in Law by Martindale-Hubbell in April 2023.
Kelly A. Pressler earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, magna cum laude, in 2006 from Siena College in Loudonville, New York and her Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, in 2009 from Albany Law School in Albany, New York. Kelly has served as Treasurer and Past President of WBAOSC and has served in various positions on that Board since 2015. Kelly also served as an officer of the WBASNY for four years. Kelly served on the Leadership Orange Board of Directors and has served on the Board since 2019, as well as on its Program Committee. She is a graduate of the Leadership Orange Class of 2018. Kelly also serves as an Ambassador for the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. Kelly is the recipient of the Orange County Rising Star, 2019, and the 2016 Outstanding New Lawyer Award, as presented by the Women’s Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan Counties and has been consistently named an Upstate New York Rising Star by Super Lawyers every year since 2016. Kelly was selected as a Woman Leader in Law by Martindale-Hubbell in April 2023.
Michael Wagner earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2009 from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, with a major in History. Michael received his Juris Doctor in 2012 from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. Michael is a graduate from the Leadership Orange Class of 2019, a member of the Women’s Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan Counties, and a member of the Orange County Bar Association. Michael is also an experienced instructor of continuing education for attorneys and real estate brokers.
Rebecca Johnson earned her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Stony Brook University Honors College in Stony Brook, New York in 2012. Rebecca earned her Juris Doctorate in 2015 from Boston University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. Rebecca has been a member of WBAOSC since 2018 and she currently serves as Immediate Past President. She is also a prior member of the fundraising committee of Safe Homes of Orange County. Rebecca is a graduate of the Leadership Orange Class of 2018. Rebecca is the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding New Lawyer Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan Counties.
